Support the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023!
Link to Advocacy Campaign:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/109556/Respond
Legislation Summary
This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care generally may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.) However, for specified veterans, the VA may exceed 100% of the cost if it determines the higher cost is in the best interest of such veterans (i.e., veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a spinal cord injury, or a condition the Secretary determines to be similar to such conditions).
Among other requirements, the VA must
- Seek to enter into an agreement with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in certain areas to furnish noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care;
- Implement various programs (e.g., the Veteran Directed Care program) to expand access to home- and community-based services;
- Provide specified support and benefits to caregivers of certain disabled veterans;
- Implement a pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
- Ensure the availability of home and community-based services for Native American veterans.
For veterans or family caregivers who are discharged from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a caregiver support coordinator must provide for a personalized transition to an appropriate program.
The Veterans Health Administration must review programs administered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care to ensure consistency in program management, eliminate service gaps at the medical center level, and ensure the availability of and access to home and community-based services.
The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through January 26, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.
Support the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/113524/Respond
Legislation Summary
- This bill would require the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs to create and implement a 5-year pilot program to treat TBI and PTSD.
Support the Sergeant First Class Michael Clark TRICARE Reserve Parity Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107490/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Amend existing law to ensure three years of benefits for Guard and Reserve families, as is standard for active duty military.
- Bringing parity for guard and reserve survivor benefits to that of active-duty personnel.
Support the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2023!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107499/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Modifies the extension of dependent coverage under TRICARE by allowing a dependent up to the age of 26 to be covered without an additional premium.
- Authorizes such coverage of dependents without a premium regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan.
Support the Mental Health For Military Children Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107509/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Would direct the DoD to establish a pilot program to provide routine mental health screenings or check-ups for common disorders for children ages 3-17, including questions about patients' mood, emotional state, habits, and behaviors.
- To ensure that children of military families who are at a greater risk for mental and behavioral health problems than the general population, have access to mental health screenings and check-ups at Department of Defense Education Activity schools (DoDEA).
Support the Revisit Pay Equity Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107467/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Increases the rate of the differential wage payment tax credit from 20% to 50% and requires that the maximum dollar amount of such credit be adjusted for inflation after 2023.
- The credit is allowed to employers for their employees who are active duty members of the uniformed services.
Support the Military Spouse Hiring Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/103707/Respond
Legislation Summary
- The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them.
- Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities.
Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93860/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation.
- Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.
Support the Major Richard Star Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93862/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.
- Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.
Support the Retired Pay Restoration Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/92798/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
- Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.
Support the Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/103672/Respond
Legislation Summary
- The Military Family Nutrition Access Act was created to aid military families with active duty members who are facing food insecurity.
- By eliminating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the income calculations used to establish eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the bipartisan bill will combat food insecurity.
- Military personnel risk their life to protect our nation; they shouldn't have to worry about providing for their families.
If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
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